Cardinals Overcome Seahawks

NFL - Game Day - WEEK 7

October 25, 2004

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Emmitt Smith ran his way to another NFL record and Neil Rackers booted himself into a share of one. Smith sealed Arizona's 25-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday with a 23-yard scoring run, breaking Walter Payton's record with 78 100-yard games rushing.

CARDINALS STORY LINE

Arizona improved to 2-4. Rackers was good from 55, 55 and 50 yards to tie Morten Andersen's record for most field goals of at least 50 yards in a game. Gerald Hayes blocked a Seattle punt for a safety for the decisive points. Smith, who broke Payton's career rushing yardage mark two years ago, gained 106 yards on 26 carries, his second 100-yard effort in three games.

SEAHAWKS STORY LINE

Seattle fell to 3-3 as Matt Hasselbeck completed just 14 of 41 passes and was intercepted four times. The Seahawks lost their third consecutive game and blew a chance to take sole possession of first place in the NFC West. The Seahawks had the ball three more times after the safety but couldn't move the ball.

TURNING POINT

Arizona forced the Seahawks to punt from their 12, and Hayes broke loose from outside to block Tom Rouen's attempt. Rouen sprawled out on the field to knock the ball out of the end zone for a safety and prevent a touchdown, and the Cardinals led 18-17 with 8:50 remaining.

SUNDAY'S SURPRISE

Jerry Rice, acquired by the Seahawks from Oakland on Tuesday, caught just one pass for 10 yards. The game marked the first time in 20 years the NFL's career yardage leaders in receiving (Rice) and rushing (Smith) opposed each other.

BY THE NUMBERS

8: NFL record for field goals of at least 50 yards in a season. Rackers already has five this season.

INJURIES OF NOTE

Seattle lost linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski with an ankle injury in the third quarter.

POSTGAME CHAT

"He's one of the best, and I just wanted to pull him aside and say congratulations. You know, he's still doing it." -- Rice on chatting with Smith on the field after the game

"They could have been 20-yarders. The way the ball flies out of here, you just want to hit the ball smooth, and it will go." -- Rackers